NDIANAPOLIS – Mike Tyson, the world heavyweight champion a 19, last night became a convicted rapist at 25, after a jury found he attacked an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant in his hotel room here last summer.
The eight men and four women found the ex-champ guilty of one count of rape and two counts of criminal deviate behavior after deliberating 9 hours and 24 minutes.
Their verdict, coming on the second anniversary of Tyson’s loss of his title to James (Buster) Douglas in Tokyo, dealt a body blow to the rags-to-riches career of one of the most prominent athletes of his generation.
Tyson, the youngest heavy-weight champion in history, was planning a comeback in a spring title match against current champ Evander Holyfield.
Free on bond
The Brooklyn-born boxer sat stoically as Marion County Judge Patricia J. Gifford read the verdict just before 11 p.m. He faces up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced March 6.
Tyson attorney Vincent Fuller briefly hugged his shoulders after the verdict was read.
The former champion remained free on $30,000 bond, but was forced to surrender his passport. He and his entourage, including promoter Don King, left the courthouse without comment.
“Sometimes, it doesn’t matter what a superstar does,” said Marion County Special Prosecutor Greg Garrison. “Tonight, at least this once, that type of behavior has not been tolerated.”
